Ventilated building block



Aug. 14, 1928. 1,680,626

W. MEYER YENTILATED BUILDING BLOCK Filed Sept. 10, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 VENTQR TTTTTT EY Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM MEYER, on GLADBROOK, IOWA.

VENTILATED BUILDING BLOCK.

Application filed September 10, 1926. Serial No.'134,703.

This invention relates to structural materials, particularly to building blocks and has for its object the provision of novel building blocks provided with means for permit-tlng free access of air into and out of a building, the blocks being intended primarily for use in the construction of corn cribs and other similar devices or places wherein it is imperative that a free circulation of air be maintained at all times for insuring the proper keeping of various commodities and curing thereof.

An important object is the provision of building blocks so constructed and arranged as to provide a plurality of substantially horizontally extending o enings through each and every one of the locks, the blocks being moreover so formed as to provide vertically extending passages in the walls conimunicating with horizontally extending passages, all operating to insure such thorough circulation of air as to effect proper ventilation, curing of commodities, and positively avoiding any sweating of the walls themselves under certain circumstances.

Another object is the provision of a block construction of this character in which the ventilating openings are soshaped as to prevent inlet of water, as for instance in the case of rain, through the interior of the buildingformed of the blocks.

An additional object is the provision of a block of this character which will be simple and inexpensive in manufacture, easy to lay, efiicient and durable in service, and a general improvement in the art.

With the above and other objects and ad vantages in view, the invention consists in the details of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

' which Figure 1 is a perspective View of a fragment of a course showing a corner block, a full length block and a half length block.

Figure 2 is a. front elevation of one full length block.

Figure 3 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 4 is an end elevation.

Figure 5 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 6 is a cross section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation.

Figure 8 is a cross section taken on the line 88 of Figure 7, and

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are fragmentary elevations illustrating blocks. having openings of different shapes therethrough.

'Referring more particularly to the drawings, and especially Figure 1, I haveillustrated a portion of a course including a corner block 10, a fulllength intermediate block 11 and a half length intermediate block 12. In most important respects the blocks are of similar construction as will be hereinafter explained. Taking up first the construction of the block 11, it is shown as comprising a rectangular body of suitable plastic material such as cement, clay or the like, and of any desired size. This'block is provided throughoutwith a series of vertically elongated openings 13 which extend clear through from the front surface to the back and which are preferably tapered as they extend toward the inner wall so that either side of the block may be considered the top, if preferred, the inclination of the bottom walls of the openings insuring the draining out of any'rain or other water which might fall thereon'so that the interior of the building formed of the blocks will not become wet. The central portion of the top and bottom of the block are recessed as indicated at 14, the recesses extending the full length, the back or inner wall of the block, indicated at 15, is preferably smooth or plane and the front is preferably formed with a raised panel 16 for ornamental purposes. Obviously, the front could be flushed if desired. r The bottom of the block outwardly of the depressed or recessed central portion 14 is preferably formed with V-shaped grooves 17 and the ends are formed with similar grooves 18 located outwardly of a depressed or recessed central portion 19 corresponding to the recessed or depressed portions 14 at the top and bottom.

lVhen a plurality of the blocks are superposedoand laid in courses it is of course apparent that the recesses 14 at the top and bottom walls of the successive layers or rows will coact to define horizontal passages extending through the wall, these horizontal passages communicating with vertical passages formed by the coacting recesses or depressions 19in the ends of the block. There is consequently an absolute circulation loo throughout the wall itself in addition to ventilation of the building through the openings 13. The grooves 17 and 18 above referred to are for the purpose of insuring the proper holding action when the blocks are secured together as by means of cement, the cement entering these grooves and locking therewith. I

The block 10 is substantially the same in construction as the block 11 except that it has a fewer number of the holes or openings 13 therein, one end being, moreover, formed solid and paneled as indicated at 20 so as to have a more finished appearance. lVherever it is necessary, for the pur ose of breaking joints or the like, use may e made of the half block 12 which is identically the same in construction as the blocks 10 and 11 except that it is only a fraction of the length thereof,

In Figures 9, 10 and 11, I have shown modified forms of the invention in which the openings 21, 22 and 23 corresponding to the openings 13 are of dilferent shape, the first mentioned being square across at the top and V-shaped at the bottom, the second mentioned being V-shaped at top and bottom and the last mentioned being curved or partially elliptical at the top and bottom.

Regardless of which type-of block is used, it is apparent that when they are laid in courses and in superposed relation as in the building of a wall, abuilding formed thereof will be provided with ample ventilation inasmuch as there may be free access of air through the walls at all times. This is particularly advantageous when the blocks are used inthe construction of corn cribs, tobacco curing houses and the like as in such instances it is imperative that air be per mitted to pass around, about and onto whatever commodity is stored. It is preferable that theopenings 13, or 21, 22 and 23 as the case may be should be narrower especially if the blocks are used in the construction of a corn crib, the purpose in having them narrow being to prevent the cobs or ears of? corn from slipping out. It is really believed that the construction, operation and advantages will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invent on, it should be understood that I reserve the right to make such changes in the form, construction and arrangement of parts as will not depart from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

A building block comprising a rectangular body of cement formed throughout its length with a series of upright or vertically elongated openings having horizontal top walls and having their bottom walls inclined downwardly and outwardly with the highest point of the bottom walls at the inside of the block, the body having its top, bottom and ends formed with recesses throughout the length thereof to define air passages when the blocks are arranged in courses, the recesses communicating with one another for defining circumferential passages entirely about the individual block, the bottoms and ends of the blocks being additionally formed outwardly of said re cesses with grooves adapted to receive cementitious material for effecting binding of the blocks together.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM MEYER. 

